AFC Cup 2016 Final: Both Sides Stand On The Precipice Of The Unknown
The final of the AFC Cup 2016 will see Bengaluru FC take on Iraq’s Airforce football club at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. While this will serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2022 World Cup that will be played at this picturesque arena, it seems clear that this will be a match of epic proportions. Both sides have made it to the final of this particular competition for the first time, which directly points to the fact that there would indeed be history created in the final at Doha, Qatar.
Venue: Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha (Qatar)
Referee: Kim Jong-hyeok (South Korea)
Team Analysis
Bengaluru FC
While the foundations were laid by Englishman Ashley Westwood, the incumbent coach Albert Roca has revamped the system, forging the Blues into a magnificent team. Their 3-1 win over the reigning champions Johor Darul Ta’azim was something certainly special as Johor were the reigning champions of the AFC Cup competiton.
As for the team selection, Albert Roca will have an easy time picking the same side that thrashed the Malaysia-based club at ‘The Fortress’. However, the Spaniard will have to make do without goalkeeper Amrinder Singh who has accumulated 2 yellow cards en route to the final. Most of the eyes will be on CK Vineeth, the powerhouse up front while Sunil Chhetri will be slotted in behind the striker. John Johnson and Juanan will have their hands full with Hammadi Ahmed, the top goal-scorer in the AFC Cup thus far.
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (Airforce Club Iraq)
In spite of their opponents hogging away all the pre-match publicity, the Airforce Club of Iraq are a formidable side. The presence of Hammadi Ahmed who already has 15 goals in the tournament will be a massive boost as far as the outset of the tournament is concerned. While all this is good, the Iraqi side aka the Falcons will be without Bashar Resan Bonyan who received a red card in the encounter against Al-Ahed SC.
However, in spite of this, they remain to be a strong team and will be looking to finally get their hands on the silverware they so desperately deserve. Samal Saeed and Ali Al-Saadi will be the ones to contain the powerhouse of CK Vineeth and Sunl Chhetri in the final.
Playing XI (Probable)
Bengaluru FC: Lalthummawia Ralte (GK), Juan Antonio, John Johnson, Nishu Kumar, Rino Anto, Alvaro Rubio, Cameron Watson, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Alwyn George, Sunil Chhetri (C), CK Vineeth
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya: Fahad Talib (GK), Samal Saeed, Ali Al-Saadi (C), Sameh Saeed, Humam Tareq Faraj, Hammadi Ahmed, Hamid Mido, Ali Bahjat Fahdil, Amjed Rahdi, Zaher Almedani, Osama Ali Mohammed
Image Courtesy: Flipboard